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The purpose of the Fund is to mobilize international financial and expert assistance to address the most urgent needs of Ukraine’s civilian transport system, including roads, railways, ports, aviation, urban mobility, and logistics. At Lithuania’s initiative, the Fund’s operational activities have been entrusted to Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency (CPVA), which has been consistently contributing to and implementing Ukraine’s recovery projects across various sectors for many years.

 

In his opening remarks, Lithuanian Ambassador to Canada, Egidijus Meilūnas, emphasized that in its attempt to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people, Russia continues to target civilians and critical infrastructure with barbaric attacks. “Therefore, it is essential not only to maintain but also to increase international support for Ukraine, especially in sectors such as transport, which are crucial in resisting aggression,” the Ambassador stated.

 

Delivering the keynote address, Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, reaffirmed Canada’s strong support for Ukraine. “Through the Ukraine Transport Support Fund, Canada will support concrete projects to restore transport networks that are essential for delivering humanitarian aid, sustaining the economy, and maintaining community connections,” the Minister said.

 

Participants also heard virtual remarks from Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba. The Fund’s objectives and priorities were presented by Eglė Uleckienė and advisor Artūras Žarnovskis from Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency, as well as by Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Transport Canada Craig Hutton.

 

The event brought together representatives from more than 40 countries and members of the Ottawa diplomatic corps’ Friends of Ukraine Group, established in 2022 to coordinate diplomatic efforts in support of Ukraine.